View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Emma* I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 1320 Location: Cumbernauld
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:13 pm Post subject: Strangers and your dogs |
|
|
Last week i was walking around Broadwood Loch with girls and had all three children with me. When a man and his son walked straight up to the dogs and started stroking and patting them. I turned to the man and said i would have preferred it if you had asked me to stroke the dogs first because he had no idea if they were friendly or not. (Skye actually retreated when they came up.)
I was wondering would you do the same or do you think i over-reacted? The man looked at me like i was stupid and carried on petting the dogs regardless, to the point i had to walk away making excuses.
On one hand after reading Patricia's post about a couple who reacted the opposite way, it is nice to have such a good response but if the dogs had growled or lunged who would have been at fault? For this reason i don't think my request was wrong. _________________ Happiness is being loved by 2 Great Danes |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kendal I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 17 Apr 2007 Posts: 4956 Location: cumbernauld
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:20 pm Post subject: |
|
|
i don't think i go up to people in the street and pet there dog unless it is coming towards me then i pop my had down to see what there reaction is, if they have a sniff and pull away i leave it at that if they seem friendly i will pet, i feel it also gives the owner time to say whether or not the wish there dog to be petted or if there dog is prone to nipping or growling.
i prefer people to let my dogs smell them before they pet them, so when i get children who want to pet them as ask them to do it one at a time and to 'introduse themselves' bey letting the girls sniff them as this is what i was taught but my mum. _________________ microchiping and grooming www.chipnclip.co.uk
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Ashley I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 1791 Location: Cumbernauld
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:17 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I agree with you Kendal! I do all of the above too. If a dog is not retreating, but is coming over to me, then I place my hand down for a wee sniff, and this also allows the owner time to let me know if its ok to pet them.
With Holly being so shy, i always point out to people that she is shy, and that she might not come to them, but if she does then they are more than welcome to pet her!
I must say, I dont ask someone if i can pet their dog, but i do a sort of weird high pitched, unintentional "ooh hello, arent you lovely?!" etc etc, so the owner, if they didnt want me to pet the dog, can say so before I do.
Although I do not think you are wrong in feeling this way Emma! I would say if i didnt want someone to touch Holly. _________________ Ashley with Holly & Murphy.
I hope to one day be as great as my dog thinks I am right now!! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Emma* I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 1320 Location: Cumbernauld
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ashley wrote: |
Although I do not think you are wrong in feeling this way Emma! I would say if i didnt want someone to touch Holly. |
Ashley it isn't that i didn't want them to touch the dogs it was the way they approached that scared the dogs. They were on lead at the time and Skye backed away which concerned me, as it didn't seem to bother the man or his boy even when i told them she was weary of men.
I love it when people show the girls attention it is just annoying when people don't listen. Skye still growls occasionally at my John so i know she is still wary of men. I think i am just stressing
Thanks for listening to my rant _________________ Happiness is being loved by 2 Great Danes |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Lisa/Colin I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 1494 Location: Cumbernauld
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:54 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Ashley wrote: |
I must say, I dont ask someone if i can pet their dog, but i do a sort of weird high pitched, unintentional "ooh hello, arent you lovely?!" etc etc, so the owner, if they didnt want me to pet the dog, can say so before I do.
|
This is exactly what I do too!!
I dont like people to just rush up and be all over my dogs either. If someone comes over and shows interest I prefer them to pause and wait for me to indicate that its ok for them to touch them. Not because I think either of mine would go for anyone, but I just think its the polite thing to do! You wouldnt let a stranger come up and get too close to your kids would you!! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Arlene Chatty Junior Member
Joined: 08 Oct 2007 Posts: 406 Location: Cumbernauld
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I would do that too. When me and Rusty are out people ask his name and ask to pet him they don't just come up and clap him The guy would have shouted at you if the dogs had snapped or bit him but he never asked.... some people just don't think. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Emma* I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 1320 Location: Cumbernauld
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks Lisa and Arlene that was the point i was trying to get across and not very well Not only is it about safety but manners too.
I don't want anyone to feel they can't pat my dogs but unless they know me or the dogs i just think it is appropriate to ask, especially when the dogs are backing away from you.
_________________ Happiness is being loved by 2 Great Danes |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Claire/Mark I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 2354 Location: Cumbernauld
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think they should ask if it's ok to pet your dog, then put there hand down for your dog to have a sniff first, cause I have noticed with Mylo and Tara that sometimes they just take a strange reaction to some people and wish not to be clapped from that certain person... It's like they sense something off them and pull back or start to act weird. . I don't think that's a bad thing tho! You where quite right to say that to the stranger Emma |
|
Back to top |
|
|
kirsty I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 30 May 2007 Posts: 2712 Location: Cumbernauld
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 10:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think it would be smart of a stranger to ask if they are friendly first and show the correct body language.
Thats what I would do if I wanted to approach a strange dog and thats what most folks who approach my dogs ask _________________ "In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog." |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Barry I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 814 Location: Cumbernauld
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 11:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I think you were correct Emma in being annoyed for the reasons you explained. It is nice however to get the dogs used to strangers, but i strongly believe on your terms. The guy and his son may love Great Danes, not that this is an excuse, but you all know what its like when you see the same breed as your own, you just have to have a clap, although asking first! As i plan to show Tikka i have been told to actually ask strangers to pet her if they would please! This will build up her confidence allowing as many to approach and run there hands over her etc etc. If Skye is weary with men i would try and deal with this as soon as you can before she gets any bigger. It may be best to have her round as many men as you can lay to hand, now your social skills will come in I have always been taught to face a problem straight on, if you shy away from it or allow to continue then it may get worse!? _________________ Barry, Kylie & Jay with precious Rotti Tikka |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Lorna I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 24 Aug 2007 Posts: 2187 Location: Cumbernauld
|
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
Emma, you are absolutely right!
My Danes are rescues and have issues with certain kinds of people from the first day they come to me. Yes, I do have to socialise them and get them used to things or people they fear. However, how and when that is done is and should be in my control. No-one should go forcing their attention on a dog or a child for that matter.
Manners dictate respect for people, including dog owners. Your view should be respected. _________________ Regards,
Lorna, Basil & Poppy
Great Danes are not substitute children. They are much more important than that! |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Emma* I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 1320 Location: Cumbernauld
|
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks for all the comments i thought i was over reacting
Barry i have been working on Skye's " man " problem since we had her and she has come on leaps and bounds but i still think it is wise to monitor her as i have said she still growls sometimes. As with everything it takes time and she is more trusting each day.
P.s it is not all men _________________ Happiness is being loved by 2 Great Danes |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Barry I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 814 Location: Cumbernauld
|
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sounds promising that she has got better since you got her! By facing the problem head on, you would still be in complete supervision/control allowing you to monitor, i,m sure it will settle down with your work on socialization! _________________ Barry, Kylie & Jay with precious Rotti Tikka |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Emma* I don't have a life ...I'm always here!
Joined: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 1320 Location: Cumbernauld
|
Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Barry wrote: |
Sounds promising that she has got better since you got her! By facing the problem head on, you would still be in complete supervision/control allowing you to monitor, i,m sure it will settle down with your work on socialization! |
Fingers crossed Barry.
I had a Dane years ago that was racist.Her previous owners abused her and the man in the family was black she never liked dark skinned men after that even with all the socialising, some Danes aren't so forgiving _________________ Happiness is being loved by 2 Great Danes |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|